Crowe-Maxwell returns in non-insolvency role

Atle Crowe-Maxwell - COO at Omniwealth
Photo: SiN Images

ATLE Crowe-Maxwell has taken on the position of chief operating officer (COO) at non-aligned wealth advisor Omniwealth, four months after he left BDO in the middle of a restructuring that saw then East Coast practice chief Grant Brant axed.

Speaking to SiN this week, Crowe-Maxwell, who lost his Father earlier this year and was on extended leave when Brant's position was terminated, said his new role represented a change of direction after two decades in restructuring and insolvency.

"This is about businesses that don't have a strategic plan but are nevertheless run well," he said.

"It's about asking the owners what they want their business to look like; it's devising a plan to take it there and asking the necessary questions, like 'does it have the right funding mix'?

His decision to diversify out of pure insolvency is a recognition that the profession is going through tough times, and that his two decades of experience can be utilised more broadly.

"At BDO we were in a pretty good spot in terms of the relationships and the connections that we had but the work was just not there," he said.

Crowe-Maxwell retires from BDO

Atle Crowe-Maxwell
Image courtesy: BDO

THE ructions continue at BDO with the company confirming this afternoon that Atle Crowe-Maxwell, partner-in charge-of the Sydney office's business recovery and insolvency division, has also left.

The admission comes a day after the firm announced it had stood down its East Coast Practice chief executive, Chris Brant.

"Mr Crowe-Maxwell had been on leave for some time for personal reasons, and he has now decided to step down from the partnership and take a short break," BDO said in a statement.

"Melbourne-based Partner and restructuring specialist, Rachel Burdett-Baker has taken up the role of Partner in Charge of BR&I.

"Mr Crowe-Maxwell joined BDO in 2012, with the integration of PKF’s Sydney and Melbourne offices. He is a 20-year veteran of insolvency and litigation support," BDO said.

BDO Sydney's managing partner Grant Saxon said Crowe-Maxwell's "retirement is due to personal reasons and comes at a time of his choosing.

"Chris Brant’s departure is a completely separate matter. Chris’ role was no longer required due to some restructuring and change of focus approved by the BDO Board."

“It’s a reality of business that as the environment changes, so must we. BDO is evolving and the decision to replace the CEO role with Managing Partners in Sydney and Melbourne is a strategic decision in line with our future plans.”

The announcement of Crowe-Maxwell's departure comes one day after SiN sought confirmation from BDO that he was on leave as a result of 'erratic behaviour', unconfirmed rumours of which continue to circulate. Crowe-Maxwell did not return calls.

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